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Weapons PolicyA weapon is defined for the purposes of this policy as any item that can be used to intimidate, threaten or harmanother person. A weapon may include, but is not limited to, firearms (to include firearm imitations), explosivesof any size or type (to include fireworks), ammunition, air guns, explosive-like noisemakers, and knives of anytype. Methodist University policy, state law, and federal law prohibit possession or use of any weapon on campus.The only exception to the possession of a knife is for students who live in apartment style residence hallrooms with kitchens. These students may possess commercially produced kitchen knives, but theseknives must be maintained within the student’s apartment at all times.If students are found in the possession of a kitchen knife outside of their residence hall apartment, they willbe in violation of the University’s weapon’s policy. Possession is defined as having a weapon (see above)on the student’s person, in the student’s room, automobile, or any other property he or she owns or uses.Students who violate the weapons policy will receive a $200 fine and in addition a minimum of probationand may receive a maximum of expulsion from the University. The possession of weapon may lead toother criminal charges by law enforcement personnel.JUDICIAL SYSTEMStructureAny member of the Methodist University community may file a written complaint of alleged violations with theAssociate Dean of Students, the campus judicial officer. The Associate Dean of Students has the right to collectadditional information and further investigate the alleged violations. The Judicial Code, Residential Guidelines,and University policies will serve as the controlling rules for conduct. The Associate Dean of Students hasthe authority to assign a case to a specific hearing body after considering the seriousness of the incident,probationary status of student(s) involved, prior punishment for similar conduct by others, and the potential forsuspension or expulsion from the University. All cases that may result in suspension or expulsion will be givento the Dean of Students for adjudication, and all other cases will be given to the Student Community Court foradjudication. Depending upon the violation, the following methods of adjudication will be used to resolve anyallegations: Educational Conferences, Student Community Court, and Dean of Students. Also, the AssociateDean of Students can hear cases designated for the Dean of Students at the discretion of the Dean of Students.Educational ConferencesAn educational conference is a meeting conducted by a Residence Life Staff Member or the Associate Deanof Students to adjudicate minor violations (those that are not likely to result in suspension or expulsion)when responsibility is freely admitted, and/or when there is no dispute of evidence.Each student will receive a letter notifying them to contact the appropriate staff member to set up aneducational conference. If a student fails to contact the staff member within three working days of thedate of the letter, the Housing and Residence Life staff member or the Associate Dean of Students willreview the case and assigned appropriate sanctions without the student being present. Students will alsoforfeit their right to an appeal; therefore, the decision of the staff member will be final.Educational conferences have jurisdiction over, but are not limited to, such violations as:First and second alcohol policy violationFirst and second incidents of disruptive actsinvolving alcoholTobacco policy violationsBias-related intimidation or harassmentFire safetyGamblingViolations of key/access cards regulationsViolation of telephone long-distance codes regulationsVandalismVisitation policy violationsStudents have the right to appeal the decision made in an educational conference to the StudentCommunity Court.RepresentationEvery student has the right to a fair hearing at any hearing body. In cases that can result in suspensionor expulsion, where students are required to meet with the Dean of Students, students are allowed tohave an individual from the Methodist University community present with them in the meeting.The representative must keep the information in the proceedings confidential. The representative willmaintain professional conduct. If the representative does not behave in professional manner, the Deanof Students may request that the representative leave the meeting. Students can either continue themeeting without representation or postpone the meeting. If students choose to postpone the meeting, thesecond meeting will be scheduled within one week. If there is a disruption during the second meeting,students will not be allowed further representation. The Dean of Students will ask the representative toleave, and the meeting will continue. The hearings will be recorded.81